============================================ || || 20th March 2024 || || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || LNU: http://lnu.org/ || || Please email Editor on: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Information, events, news and requests - mostly local. 2. Wildlife Highlights from Rare Bird Alert. 3. Wildlife reports around the county. Contributions welcome... 4. NNRs, RSPB and LWT Reserves : Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe. 5. Bardney Limewoods NNR: Chambers Farm Wood. 6. Other Reserve Reports - links. 7. Sending in Bulletin Reports - contributors please read! 8. Contact information - recorders and specialists... 9. Notes about these wildlife reports. 10. Bulletin publicity policy. 11. Events Diary - what's on. 12. ...and finally. Mostly national/international wildlife stories. ============================================ Reports here are open. They are available to county recorders of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union; the Lincolnshire Bird Club and Lincolnshire Environmental Record Centre [LERC]. Compare earlier years/months. Past Bulletins archive [in text] from 2009: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or associated organisations. Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. INFORMATION, EVENTS, NEWS AND REQUESTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bob Sheppard writes: The Len Pick Trust barn owl camera is playing up but our experts are doing all they can to get us back up and running. Both birds were seen in the box before the feed went down. Bourne Owl Webcam problems - message from Bob Sheppard: Their technical person and says the camera was been fixed with a simple reboot, but he is unsure if this is a permanent fix. To save entering the tower they may have to leave it for this year and work on an altogether better solution for next season. The female osprey returned to the Loch of Lowes nest last Friday. She is awaiting her partner. He has always returned by the 29th March in previous years so fingers crossed. scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk Lots of peregrine action but we still await the first egg. Louth St James' Church looks favourite but there is activity in the nest trays at Boston Stump and Grantham St Wulfram's Church. Louth birds are live at http://www.louthperegrines.org.uk/latest-news.html Smaller birds have been providing the excitement this week. Alan and I have been ringing siskins in Bourne Wood. So far we have caught over 300 in the past two months. Some years we don't even get double figures! On Monday we had a couple of nets up and I had the pleasure of extracting a foreign ringed siskin just after lunchtime. It was ringed in Italy which makes it quite rare. We don't get many from down there! We are awaiting full ringing details. This week's mostly-local news stories: A ball of barnacles wins wildlife photo award https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-68543633 Wildlife trust plans 'image makeover' for slugs and snails https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-68539052 Deer video prompts wolves debate https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crgdz47v25vo Seal rescued after fishing line caught around neck https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqqw0grr046o Public warned accessing dead whales is 'dangerous' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz5z86r4x7no London Zoo experts investigate Humber whale deaths https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpr0nx2jenqo Men fined for chopping down protected trees https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clej849w106o Tonnes of flytipping is cleared from Grimsby alley https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4nrdvx0zklo RAF Coningsby dog handlers receive military trophy https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckmvdv67dx7o Ravenser Odd: the medieval city Yorkshire lost to the sea https://theconversation.com/ravenser-odd-the-medieval-city-yorkshire-lost-to-the-sea-224410 Otters 'struggling to cope' with extreme flooding https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c720rpezpxvo More links in "...and finally ..." at the end of the Bulletin. Thanks to all who sent in news, reports and contributions. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Phil Porter's email is: philporterento@outlook.com Alex Pickwell is now helping with the Bulletin mailing. There is another side to him! Starting in April, he will be attempting to run three full marathons in six weeks to raise money for a Lincolnshire- based charity. Central German Shepherd Rescue is a charity dedicated to the rescue, fostering and rehoming of German Shepherds in need. It provides care and treatment for unwanted or neglected dogs and educates people about the German Shepherd breed. Central German Shepherd Rescue is entirely supported by donations and run only by volunteer efforts. If interested you can find out more from Alex. Alex Pickwell's email: mrapickwell@gmail.com *** Weather News and Forecast *** https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#? 24 March - 4 April Increasing sunny spells in western areas on Sunday with showers developing in central and eastern areas after a rather cold start. The showers heavy and thundery at times, these gradually dying out from the northwest, with most places dry by the evening though cloud and rain rolling into Northern Ireland by end of the day. Monday to Wednesday likely to see a couple of systems bringing wind and rain across the UK, heaviest across southern areas with strong winds at times. Temperatures at or just below normal. Uncertainty increases from mid-week with potential for further weather systems to develop across the southwest though all areas will likely see periods of wet weather, with some drier spells in-between. Rainfall amounts highest in the south, with northern areas slightly drier but cooler. *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** 'Larger than Everest' comet could become visible to naked eye this month https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/mar/11/larger-than-everest-comet-could-become-visible-to-naked-eye-this-month Treasured gifts keep falling from the skies https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/feb/26/country-diary-treasured-gifts-keep-falling-from-the-skies Elon Musk's Starship goes 'farther than ever' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-68547482 March Night Sky - highlights: https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/blog/astronomy/night-sky-highlights-march-2024 Full Moons 2024 https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/full-moon-calendar Meteor shower dates 2024 https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/meteor-shower-guide BBC Sky at Night Magazine website https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/news *** EVENTS *** *** Grimsby and Cleethorpes Area Group LWT *** Carolyn Davis writes: "Looking for Signs of Spring Walk in Weelsby Woods" On Saturday 30th March 24 the Grimsby and LWT Cleethorpes Area Group invite you to join them on a walk around Weelsby Woods, Grimsby Looking for signs of spring with Graham Hicks. Meet Graham at 8am in the car parking area Grid Ref. TA28590742 nearest postcode DN33 8PW Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear and bring binoculars if you have them. This is a free event however donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For more information, please contact Graham Hicks 07979 089890 Natterjacks and All On Monday 8th April you are invited to join the Grimsby and Cleethorpes Area Group LWT at their next indoor meeting where our speakers Matt Blissett and Ruth Taylor will be giving an illustrated talk "Natterjacks and All" which will include updates on reserves that they manage including the Grey Seals at Donna Nook. Please note that we will be holding our AGM at 7pm before the talk starts at 7.30pm. This will take place in Grimsby Town Hall DN31 1HX. Admission £4, all are welcome. There will be a sale of pre-loved natural history books, raffle and refreshments available. For further details contact Jackie Kirk 07464 636926 or check our website www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk or why not check out our Facebook page? Wildlife walk at Freshney Bog, Grimsby On Saturday 20th April you are invited to join the Grimsby and Cleethorpes Area Group LWT on a Wildlife Walk at Freshney Bog, Grimsby with Graham Hicks. Please meet at 8am in St. Michael's Church carpark on Great Coates Road, Grimsby DN34 4ND. We will be looking for wildlife in the area including Water Voles and Kingfishers. This is a free event however donations will be welcomed for the Trust. You are advised to wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear and bring binoculars if you have them. For further information please contact Graham Hicks 07979 089890 or check our website www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk or our Facebook page. *** Lincoln Area Group - LWT *** Richard Davidson writes: Lincoln Area Group Talk 21st March 2024 "The National Trust and Nature Conservation, in Lincolnshire and beyond" Carl Hawke, Regional Nature Conservation Advisor for the National Trust, will look at their current nature conservation projects in Lincolnshire including Sandilands and Belton House but also by contrast in the Peak District. Carl was formerly the site warden at Gibraltar Point. The event is at Whisby Nature Park in the Lafarge Education Building starting at 7.30 pm. Admission is £2.50 which includes refreshments in the interval. *** South Lincs RSPB Group *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: The South Lincs RSPB Group has released details of their 2024 "Seal and Birdwatching" cruises aboard "The Boston Belle". There are twelve cruises organised for 2024, starting on 5th April and ending on 24th October. Full details are on our website, including ticket prices, booking arrangements, sailing times and dates etc. Booking is essential. https://group.rspb.org.uk/southlincolnshire/ STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Bird flu: Defra advice to the general public is to leave corpses alone and report the findings - but that landowners should dispose of birds themselves. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bird-flu-latest-situation-avian-influenza-prevention-zone-declared-across-great-britain Lyme Disease reminder https://www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/zoonoses-data-sheets/lyme-disease.pdf Road works and hold-ups https://roadworks.org/ Met Office Severe Warnings https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings Met Office Severe Weather E-mail Service - sign up. http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails EasyTide http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx Environment Agency Flood Warnings - Lincolnshire https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings?location=lincolnshire Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline - sign up. https://www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. WILDLIFE HIGHLIGHTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Bird Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce their pager reports. A big thank you from us all. Readers interested in a pager - look at the RBA website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ For RBA's excellent articles: https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/RealData/Articles.asp 12/3 Long-eared Owl in ivy, West Pit, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James. Bar-tailed Godwit, Deeping High Bank, Crowland Wash View from north of Tooley Lodge. Lesser Yellowlegs 1w by visitor centre car park, Green-winged Teal on pools to right of sea wall, Scaup on Reedbed, Frampton Marsh. 3 Scaup, Freiston Shore. 2 Water Pipits, Gibraltar Point. Firecrest, Anderby Creek 4 Waxwings by A16 at the Jug + Bottle car park, then flew north, Holton le Clay. 13/3 2 Sand Martins, Glossy Ibis on West Pit, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James. Sand Martin flew south over River Welland, Deeping High Bank NNW of Crowland. Lesser Yellowlegs 1w by visitor centre car park, Scaup on Reedbed, Frampton Marsh. 2 Woodlarks, Hen Harrier, 2 Long-tailed Ducks, Gibraltar Point. Possible ad Baltic Gull briefly at Mablethorpe north end, flew north, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe NNR Woodlark flew south over. Caspian Gull 1w flew south past, Anderby Creek. 14/3 Sandmartin on Star Lode Drove, Dunsby. Little Ringed Plover as Molecy Mill Pit, West Deeping. Glossy Ibis on West Pit, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James. Short-eared Owl, Sandilands. Lesser Yellowlegs 1w by visitor centre car park, Frampton Marsh. 3 Scaup, Freiston Shore. Woodlark, 2 Spoonbills flew south over Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point NNR Caspian Gull 1w on beach by car park, Huttoft Beach. Hen Harrier ad male over reedbeds, flew west, Whitton. 15/3 I Long-eared Owl at Main lake in ivy, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James. Lesser Yellowlegs 1w by visitor centre car park, Frampton Marsh. Scaup on lagoon, Freiston Shore. 2 Water Pipits, 2 Long-tailed Ducks on sea, Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point NNR. Lapland Bunting, Anderby Creek. Caspian Gull 1w on beach, Huttoft Beach. Caspian Gull 1w flew west over Alkborough Flats. 16/3 Lesser Yellowlegs 1w by visitor centre car park, 2 Hen Harriers 1m over saltmarsh, 2 Green-winged Teal both drks SW of sea bank on Marsh Farm grassland, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Frampton Marsh. 3 Scaup all drks on lagoon, Freiston Shore. Water Pipit, Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point NNR. Smew drk, Common Scoter drk, Covenham reservoir. Possible Rough-legged Buzzard over fields east of Pelham's Pillar, NNE of Caistor. Glossy Ibis opposite Scallow Grove Farm, Water Pipit, 5 Common Cranes flew SE over, Messingham Sand Quarry. Hen Harrier, East Halton Marshes. 17/3 Glossy Ibis on West Pit, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James. 2 Green-winged Teal both drks SW of sea bank on Marsh Farm grassland, Lesser Yellowlegs 1w by visitor centre car park, Frampton Marsh. Smew drk, Covenham reservoir. Ring-necked Duck opposite Scallow Grove Farm, Messingham Sand Quarry. 18/3 Glossy Ibis on West Pit, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James. Richard's Pipit by old sea bank between Skeldyke and Marsh Road, SE of Kirton. Green-winged Te al drk SW of sea bank car park, from Marsh Farm grassland, Pale-bellied Goose on saltmarsh, Lesser Yellowlegs 1w at south end of visitor car park, Frampton Marsh. Scaup on lagoon, Freiston Shore. Ring-necked Duck fem opposite Scallow Grove Farm, Messingham Sand Quarry. 19/3 Lesser Yellowlegs 1w at south end of visitor car park, Frampton Marsh. Scaup on lagoon, Spotted Redshank, Freiston Shore. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. WILDLIFE NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Find the Grid Reference - don't forget - it's important Grab a Grid Reference: https://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ ROAD KILLS? PLEASE LET US KNOW. Every drive is a transect! Hedgehogs? Badgers? Otters? Reports welcome. *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Thanks to our regular contributors across the county. Much appreciated. We rely on readers to send in observations and welcome records from everyone, experts or beginners. Please keep your reports coming. BARDNEY - THE GREEN TF120694 R + A Parsons 15/3/2024 Unidentified butterfly in flight over garden. Pied Wagtail m Blue Tit 2 Dunnock Robin 2 Blackbird 2m 1f Chaffinch Starling 12+ Jackdaw 12+ Wood Pigeon 8+ Collared Dove 2 Domestic pigeon 9 Black-headed Gull 12+ Sparrowhawk f in garden "checking" 1pm on 17/3/2024 5 Small Tortoiseshell butterflies active in warm Methodist chapel at 10am. BARDNEY GARDEN TF117700 Phil and Mary Porter 13/3/2024- Red Admiral 1 on 15/3 Brimstone 2 males most days from 14/3 Small Tortoiseshell 1 on 16/3 Siskin 1-2 most days from 15/3 Tree Sparrow 2 on 16/3, 1st for a very long time Redpoll 1 on 13/3, 2 on 17/3 Buzzard 2 overhead on 16/3 Green Woodpecker 1 just beyond garden on 16/3 Goldcrest song on 15/3 and 16/3 Goldfinch song on 16/3, c. 6 on feeders regularly Greenfinch song on 16/3, c. 5 on feeders regularly Wren 2 near house 15/3 and 17/3 Swans, not identified c.25 flew north 18/3 Smooth Newt 1 in pond on 16/3 FRITHVILLE TF 298489 Margaret Westcott 17.03.2024 Diurnea fagella 2xM 1xF This is the second year running I have started to notice this little micro moth on our house wall in March. The female has reduced wings, but it gets there all the same! We regularly see a stoat in the garden, weaving in, out, up and over the plants. Two young hares, last year's young, browse all around the house, nibbling this and that. The squirrels have been foiled from raiding the bird feeders since we strung them on wires between posts (the feeders, not the squirrels!!). A large flock of Fieldfares flew over this morning, chacking in the tree tops. WOOLSTHORPE BY COLSTERWORTH Jane Ostler 8  - 18 March 2024 A small group of Wood Anemones in flower on 14/3/24 on the edge of the Nature Trail is a survivor from the previous dappled sunlight  of ancient woodland.  In Tortoiseshell Wood they cover the ground briefly where coppicing favours them.  On the Nature Trail Cowslips in the Meadow and Spurge Laurel is still in flower in the deep shade of bordering trees.  In the gateway it is both Red and White Deadnettle that are attracting the bees. A Single Brimstone Butterfly was out in the sunshine on several days.  In gardens adjacent to the Nature Trail Great spotted Woodpeckers regularly come to feeders.  Tawny Owls are still hooting during the day.  Skylarks are singing above a grass field.  Rooks are now staying with the nests they are building.  A Chiffchaff calling may be one who has overwintered with us.  Of six Little Egrets in a field adjacent to the River Witham one pair may be nesting. In our own garden in sunshine after a frosty night on 16/3/24  clouds of Winter Gnats were dancing over the lawn and a "clump” of Aranaeus spiderlings scattered in all directions when disturbed. It was on this morning that the first Common Carder Bee was seen. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs and NATURE RESERVES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LWT Top Reserves: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves LWT Reserves List:https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/nature-reserves-list RSPB Reserves https://www.rspb.org.uk/days-out/reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR including DONNA NOOK ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/saltfleetby-theddlethorpe-dunes https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report  13th – 19th March 2024 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor, Owen Beaumont, Cliff Morrison and Dean Nicholson. Thank you to all other contributors.   Daily News and Wildlife Sightings   130324 - 2 chiffchaff at Churchill Lane, 2 at Brickyard Lane and 1 at Crook Bank. Woodcock, sparrowhawk, 2 singing Cetti's warblers and drumming great spotted woodpecker around Churchill Lane. A southerly movement of finches throughout the morning included at least 800 chaffinch and a brambling. Baltic type lesser black-backed gull on wet grassland south of Crook Bank. Common snipe around Crook Bank outer dunes and a male stonechat by Crook Bank road. 15 pink-footed goose and several lapwing displaying at Elm House Farm. Butterflies - red admiral and small tortoiseshell Crook Bank, 2 peacock Churchill Lane. 140324 - 2 chiffchaffs calling in dune scrub near Sea View and several hundred yards north. Paradise lagoon now well topped up with water due to influence of the high tides, 1 avocet, 6 curlew, 12 shoveler, 17 gadwall, 3 tufted duck, 2 moorhen, 1 little grebe, 52 teal, 7 mallard, 6 wigeon and 3 redshank. A skein of 50 pink-feet flew over in a north-westerly direction. 5 chiffchaff singing between Churchill Lane and Brickyard Lane. Another chiffchaff singing at Mablethorpe North End, along with a Cetti's warbler and a pair of bullfinch in the dunes. Flying south in the morning were 914 chaffinch, 38 siskin, 4 reed bunting, 5 alba wagtails, 201 starlings, 21 rooks and 2 sparrowhawk; and north went 13 meadow pipit and 76 pink-footed geese. 2 red kite, ringtail hen harrier and stonechat pair MOD outer dunes. 150324 - Chiffchaff and 2 Cetti's warbler singing around Churchill Lane. Female merlin chasing dunlin and ringed plover MOD foreshore. More southerly migration in the morning included 318 chaffinch, 2 yellowhammer, 2 raven and a marsh harrier.   160324 - 3 siskin, single goldcrest and a small tortoiseshell at Sea View, 3 chiffchaffs between Sea View and Paradise, red kite and male hen harrier hunting over saltmarsh, kingfisher along the Eau outfall and 15 pink-feet flying north-west. 2 little grebe calling Rimac freshwater marsh. 4 cattle egret Rimac dunes, where a red kite drifted south. Butterflies - small tortoiseshell and comma Sea View, peacock Brickyard Lane. 170324 - 2 grey heron flew high west over Brickyard Lane dunes. 2 avocet and drake pochard on wet grassland south of Crook Bank. 5000 starling Rimac, 2500 Brickyard Lane and 1000 Saltfleet Haven late afternoon. 1 avocet, 6 pintail and 16 shelduck Rimac lagoon. 2 cattle egret Rimac dunes.   180324 - Common whitlow grass, field wood rush, field mouse-ear and dandelion in flower. Woodcock at Brickyard Lane. At least 4 chiffchaff singing between Churchill and Brickyard Lane.  4 cattle egret and a chiffchaff at Rimac. 3 red kite drifted north and 5 buzzard went south. Buzzard pair displaying around Churchill Lane, Cetti’s warbler singing. 2 grey heron flew south at Mablethorpe North End and 330 woodpigeon flew north. Cetti's warbler singing along the Eau at Sea View, 2 chiffchaff heard and a single raven was seen and heard flying past, curlew flying over. Lapwing displaying over Sea View Washland and curlew bubbling. Singles of jack snipe and common snipe Crook Bank outer dunes, plus 15 skylark and 2 meadow pipit. 5 chiffchaff, Cetti's warbler and male bullfinch in the dunes at Mablethorpe North End. Great white egret on scrapes adjacent to Sea View. Purple sandpiper still on Mablethorpe beach outfall. Butterflies - brimstone and small tortoiseshell, Churchill Lane; peacock, brimstone and small tortoiseshell Sea View; brimstone, 3 peacock and small tortoiseshell Crook Bank; peacock and comma Brickyard Lane; and comma Elm House Farm. Very mild sunny day at Churchill Lane 15.5c at 1300. 1 brimstone, 1 small tortoiseshell, 2 peacock butterflies, buff tail bumblebees, honey bee, several 7 spot ladybirds. 5 common buzzards and some display over also a female sparrowhawk. Common frog and toad spawning at Sea View, Rimac and Churchill Lane. Smooth newts displaying in many pools.   190324 - Brimstone at Sea View. Male hen harrier over saltmarsh. 5 cattle egret at Rimac, split into 2 and 3. A crossbill flew south, along with 126 chaffinch and 20 siskin in 30 minutes. 6 singing skylark, 4 meadow pipit and 1 rock pipit on Brickyard Lane saltmarsh. 4 chiffchaff and 2 Cetti's warbler between Churchill and Brickyard Lane. Another 6 chiffchaff between Rimac and MOD, 23 golden plover MOD foreshore. Peregrine on the outer beach at Rimac and stonechat pair on outer dune scrub. Red kite south-west over Elm House Farm, where 16 pink-footed geese, 40 golden plover, 20 redshank and several displaying lapwing were on wet grassland. Another red kite south at Brickyard Lane late morning, along with kestrel and sparrowhawk. Woodcock in Brickyard Lane dunes. Butterflies - brimstone Sea View. Common toads, frogs and common newt very active some spawning. Barn owl calling at Sea View.   Over the mild evenings of the past 6 days 3 small bats have been hawking around Churchill Lane car park. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. BARDNEY LIMEWOODS NNR ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ These cover a huge area. Reports always welcome. The history of the Lincolnshire Limewoods: https://www.forestryjournal.co.uk/features/19111877.lincolnshire-limewoods/ The Forestry Commission visitor advice: https://www.forestryengland.uk/article/coronavirus-visitor-guide ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch: https://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html Chambers Farm Wood - Butterfly Garden - gardening dates and times: Next dates: 2nd April 2024, 16th April 2024 https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/lincolnshire-branch/chambers-farm-wood-butterfly-garden ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The NNR includes the following sites: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chambers Farm Woods (comprises Ivy Wood; Little and Great Scrubbs Woods; Minting Wood; Hatton Wood, Hatton Plantation and Minting Park; and also three areas of grassland: Little Scrubbs Meadow and extension), Small Meadow and Big Meadow. Since all have their own management plans, please give the actual location when reporting). College Wood; Cocklode & Great West Woods; Hardy Gang Wood; Newball Wood; Rand Wood; Scotgrove Wood; Southrey Wood and Wickenby Wood. Many of these include both areas of ancient woodland or important grassland. Many are also designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Records which provide a six-figure grid reference are of particular value to the Forestry Commission. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Discover Woodland Trust woods near you - including the best woods for walks, wildlife watching, family fun and heritage. https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/#=undefined&view=map Lincolnshire County Council - Local Nature Reserves https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/coast-countryside/nature-reserves Links to "Other Reserves" are welcome. Your suggestions, please. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. SENDING IN BULLETIN REPORTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire. We aim to increase the number of people reporting observations to Recorders or via iRecord. https://www.brc.ac.uk/irecord/ The Bulletin is a FREE service. We ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome. You don't have to stick to lists! Please help us to help you. When sending in reports please follow this layout to save re-editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] Bulletin mailing times may vary. It usually goes out on Wednesdays/ Thursdays in time for the weekend. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible, to: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. CONTACTS AND USEFUL WEBSITES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Links "not to be missed *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. CONTACTS LIST Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union LNU Website: http://lnu.org/ LNU Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist LNU Facebook page: LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust: https://twitter.com/LincsWildlife Lincs Bird Club: https://twitter.com/Lincsbirding LBC County Bird Recorder: recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk The Sir Joseph Banks Society: https://twitter.com/sirjosephbanks Lincolnshire Bat Group: http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch: https://twitter.com/BC_Lincolnshire Lincsbirders: https://twitter.com/lincsbirders Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project: https://lincolnshirechalkstreams.org/events/ Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Trust: https://lincolnshirechalkstreamstrust.org.uk/ South Lincolnshire Flora Group: https://bsbi.org/south-lincolnshire-v-c-53 The Wolds Fungi Group: Contact Paul Nichol via email: pnichol20@gmail.com Lincolnshire Dormouse Group: Contact: lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com FIGHTING WILDLIFE CRIME Wildlife Crime https://www.lincs.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/wc/wildlife-crime/ SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. LNU Recorders and Specialists: https://lnu.org/specialists/ Downloads of LNU books: https://lnu.org/publications/books/ Recording with "iRecord": https://www.brc.ac.uk/irecord/ iRecord is recommended by the LNU as an appropriate platform for on-line recording. Local Bat Helpline Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact Annette Faulkner on 01775 766286 Email: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com Confidential Bat Records You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com Slug ID Help Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. Tel: 01383 669 124 Email: chris.r.dufeu@gmail.com When asking for help: Please give the very best information you can provide. If you are not sure, ask what is needed from you to confirm identification. Photographs are helpful but not every species can be identified from a photograph. When asked for further details, get back to them promptly. Don't forget a thank you for the help. That is always welcomed. USEFUL WILDLIFE LINKS Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. Lincolnshire Badger Group https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093647842292 email lincolnshirebadgergroup@hotmail.com Lincs Environmental Records Centre: http://www.glnp.org.uk/ Natural England: http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ NHBS Natural history equipment or books. https://www.nhbs.com/ The Flora of Lincolnshire by Joan Gibbons: downloadable LNU book Atlas of the terrestrial and semi-aquatic Mammals of Lincolnshire: *** For the Geologists *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Coastal walk geology and shipwreck app launched https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckvw51nj08jo Iceland violent volcanic flare-up triggers state of emergency https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68589594 This quarry will once again become the land of the living https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/feb/28/country-diary-this-quarry-will-once-again-become-the-land-of-the-living Lincolnshire Geodiversity Group: https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/geology-1 Geology of the Lincolnshire Wolds: https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/special-features/geology The Geology of Lincolnshire: downloadable LNU book ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. NOTES ABOUT THESE WILDLIFE REPORTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting. However, records are sent in by a variety of reporters; from complete beginners to professionals. They may vary in reliability and occasionally may be difficult or impossible to verify. If further information is needed please contact: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Bulletins are sent to Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP], Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. BULLETIN PUBLICITY POLICY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When sending in reports, e.g. unusual plants, please report any sensitive news directly to recorders. Not the Bulletin. We don't want to spoil things with unwise or untimely publicity. Thank you. Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report on national networks. Interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly or thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU EVENTS DIARY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** LNU Events *** https://lnu.org/meetings/ https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ...AND FINALLY... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** National or international stories *** Water voles will benefit from £25m habitat restoration https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-68565075 Water firm pays £50,000 pollution fine to charity https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cw0zrgnjen1o Endangered eel spotted swimming in Dorset puddle by postman https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-68535717 Giant redwoods: World’s largest trees 'thriving in UK' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-68518623 Darwin’s plant specimens stored for 200 years to go on public display https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/mar/15/plant-specimens-collected-by-charles-darwin-to-be-unveiled-to-the-public Saving the world's largest flowers Rafflesia https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26134821-100-saving-the-worlds-largest-flowers-in-the-philippines/ Chernobyl worms have changed https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/worms-chernobyl-nuclear-power-plant-explosion-b2511086.html UK government overturns plans to phase out badger cull https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/mar/14/uk-government-overturns-plans-to-phase-out-badger-cull *** Mail Fails *** John Clarke - soft bounces. ----------------- ~ THE END ~ ----------------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/